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BEING IMITATORS OF GOD
"(Eph 5:1 NIV) Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, DC on November 6, 1854. His father played trombone in the U.S. Marine band. When John was thirteen he apprenticed in the band with his father and became both an accomplished musician and composer. He is known as the "March King" and best remembered for the marches "The Washington Post," "Semper Fidelis," and the official march of the United States "The Stars and Stripes Forever." One day Sousa heard a man with a hand organ playing his favorite march "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Irritated at the way the tune dragged, the bandmaster said to the sleepy, lazy organ grinder, "Pardon me, Sir, but that's no way to play that march." Seizing the handle of the instrument, he began whirling it vigorously. The old martial flavor surged back into the music. The man who owned the instrument bowed low and smiled. The next night Sousa heard the tune again, but this time it was played in the right tempo. Looking out the window, he saw to his amusement that the operator had printed his own name on a large card, and beneath it in equally bold letters: "Pupil of John Philip Sousa!"
We are pupils of the Lord. We should imitate Him with our lives, loving as He loves and forgiving as He forgives. Are you following the Lord in your actions?
This week in prayer, thank the Lord for His perfect example of living right, and pray when the world looks at you, they see Jesus and Him only.
"He that would serve Christ must follow him. He must be content to tread only in the old footsteps, and go only where Christ has led the way." - Charles H. Spurgeon
God's Word: (1 Th 1:6 NIV) You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
(Col 3:13 KJV) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
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